ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio softball team attempted to mount a late-inning comeback against the visitors from Akron but fell just short in dropping a 2-1 decision to the Zips.

Single runs in the second and fourth innings by Akron put the Bobcats in a 2-0 hole going into the bottom of the sixth. Ohio cut its deficit in half with one run in the sixth frame. With two outs, Marian Davis (Brighton, Mich.) walked and Kelly Rodriguez (Miami, Fla.) followed with a double to the right-center field gap that scored Davis and brought the Bobcats to within 2-1.

After starter Michelle Sauter (Chehalis, Wash.) stopped an Akron scoring threat in the top of the seventh to keep the game at 2-1, Ohio looked to force extra innings or win the game outright in its half of the frame. After the first batter was retired, Robin Miller (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) lined a shot up the middle but it was right at the Akron centerfielder for the second out.

Alicia Catlette (Mogadore, Ohio) kept hope alive with a triple to the right center but Ohio could not capitalize to fall to 6-7 in Mid-American Conference play and 23-29 overall.

Sauter took the hard-luck loss for the Bobcats despite another solid showing on the mound. She pitched all seven innings for her 11th complete game of the season, allowing only two runs on six hits while striking out six batters.

The Bobcats will look to exact some revenge on the Zips tomorrow with the game slated to begin at 1 p.m.